Chapter 90 Combat
POV: Luna
The next morning, I show up to Cole's advanced combat class with Ryder following close behind.
My new "protection detail" as assigned by Professor Cael.
"I don't need a bodyguard," I tell Ryder for the third time.
"Too bad. You've got one anyway." He's being stubborn about this. "After what happened to your room, you're not going anywhere alone."
"It's combat class. I'm literally surrounded by people."
"People who may or may not want to curse you with blood magic. So yes, I'm staying."
I give up arguing.
Cole notices Ryder's presence immediately when we arrive at the training grounds.
"Mr. Ryder. You're not enrolled in this class."
"I'm here as Miss Eclipse's protection detail. Professor Cael's orders."
Cole's expression doesn't change, but something flickers in his eyes. "I see. Very well. You may observe. But do not interfere with training."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
The class begins. Today's focus is integrating wolf instincts with magical casting.
"Most of you can shift and cast spells," Cole explains. "But you do them separately. Shift, then cast. Or cast, then shift. Today, we're learning to do both simultaneously."
He demonstrates. Partially shifting his hand while conjuring fire in his palm.
The fire takes on a more primal quality. Wild. Uncontrolled but powerful.
"This is advanced technique," he continues. "Most wolves never master it. But those who do become formidable opponents. Your wolf nature amplifies your magic. Makes it more instinctive. More reactive."
We practice with simple spells first. Light conjuration while partially shifted.
I let my wolf come forward. Just a little. Enough for claws to extend and senses to sharpen.
Then I try to cast the light spell.
Nothing happens.
I try again. Still nothing.
"Your wolf and your magic are fighting each other," Cole observes, approaching me. "You're treating them as separate forces. They're not. They're aspects of the same power source."
"How do I make them work together?"
"Stop trying to control both. Let them flow naturally. Your wolf knows what to do. Your magic knows what to do. You just need to get out of their way."
Easier said than done.
I try again. This time releasing conscious control.
Letting my wolf and magic do whatever feels natural.
My claws extend fully. My eyes shift. And light explodes from my palm.
Not gentle. Not controlled. But powerful.
"Better," Cole says. "But still too much conscious thought. You're overthinking the integration."
"How do I not overthink it?"
"By trusting yourself. By accepting that you don't need to understand how it works. You just need to let it happen."
We continue practicing. And gradually, I start to get it.
The less I try to control the process, the smoother it becomes.
Partial shift and spell casting happening simultaneously. Not perfectly. But improving.
By the end of class, I can maintain a partial shift while conjuring simple defensive wards.
"Impressive progress," Cole says. "Most students take weeks to reach this level. You did it in one session."
"Eclipse power," I mutter.
"Partly. But also natural talent and trust in your instincts." He dismisses the class. "Same time tomorrow. Practice the integration tonight. Make it second nature."
Students file out. But Cole gestures for me to stay.
Ryder tenses but doesn't interfere.
"Luna, I wanted to talk to you about yesterday. The incident with your room."
"How did you know about that?"
"Faculty gossip. And I pay attention to my students." He crosses his arms. "Someone used blood magic against you. Dark magic from the Blackwood bloodline. That's serious."
"I know."
"Do you? Because blood curses can be deadly if cast properly. And whoever took your personal items has everything they need to harm you from a distance."
"Professor Cael is investigating."
"Good. But in the meantime, you need to strengthen your defenses. Not just magical wards. Mental ones too." He pulls out a small book. "This contains exercises for protecting your mind against magical intrusion. Use them. Daily."
I take the book cautiously. "Why are you helping me?"
"Because you're my student. And I don't let my students get cursed by petty social rivals if I can prevent it."
There's sincerity in his voice. But I still can't fully trust him.
Not when my grandmother warned me about Cole Thorne. Not when the shadow caller shares his name.
"Thank you," I say anyway. "I appreciate it."
"Be careful, Luna. The attacks against you are escalating. Physical sabotage. Blood magic. Each one more dangerous than the last. Someone wants you weakened. Vulnerable. Don't give them the satisfaction."
He leaves.
Ryder immediately comes over. "What did he want?"
"To warn me about blood curses. And give me this." I show him the book.
Ryder flips through it. "These are legitimate mental protection exercises. Advanced ones. Where did he get this?"
"I don't know. But he seems genuinely concerned about me."
"Or he's getting close to you for some other reason." Ryder hands the book back. "Don't trust him completely, Luna. We still don't know his connection to the shadow caller."
"I know. But if this book can help protect me, I'm using it."
We head back toward the main Academy.
That's when I feel it.
Someone watching.
I stop mid-step, scanning the treeline.
"What's wrong?" Ryder asks, immediately alert.
"Someone's there. Watching us."
His hand goes to his weapon. "Where?"
"Trees. Northeast. About fifty yards out."
We both stare at the forest. Waiting for whoever it is to reveal themselves.
A figure moves in the shadows. Too far to see clearly. Too deliberate to be accidental.
Then they step into a patch of sunlight.
It's a rogue.
Not attacking. Just standing there. Watching us with those sickly red eyes.
"Should we engage?" Ryder whispers.
"I don't think it's here to fight. It's just... observing."
The rogue tilts its head. Like it's analyzing us. Learning.
Then it makes a sound. Not quite a howl. Not quite speech. But something in between.
My mark flares in response.
And I hear it. A voice. Carried on the wind.
"Soon, little Eclipse. Very soon."
The shadow caller.
Using the rogue as a mouthpiece. A messenger.
The rogue turns and disappears into the forest.
"What just happened?" Ryder demands.
"The shadow caller. He's watching me. Using rogues to spy on me." I clutch my wrist. "He said 'soon.' Whatever he's planning, it's coming soon."
"We need to report this to the Headmaster."
"And tell him what? That a rogue spoke to me using dark magic? That the shadow caller is actively monitoring me? They already know I'm being targeted."
"But they don't know he's getting this close. This bold."
Ryder's right. This is an escalation.
The shadow caller isn't just calling anymore. He's sending direct messages. Direct threats.
The timeline is accelerating.
We report the incident to Professor Cael, who immediately increases patrols around the Academy perimeter.
But I know it won't help.
The shadow caller has been dead for centuries. He exists in the otherworld. Physical patrols can't stop him.
Only I can.
By completing my trials. By getting strong enough to resist his corruption. By proving I'm worthy of Eclipse power without being consumed by it.
No pressure.
That evening, Aria finds me in the library.
"We need to talk," she says. "Privately."
We find an empty study room and close the door.
"I've been investigating the clique," Aria says. "Specifically, Cassandra's connections. And I found something interesting."
"What?"
"Her family has ties to several packs that historically opposed Eclipse wolves. Including one pack that was completely destroyed by your grandmother during her battle with Marcus Thorne."
My stomach drops. "Destroyed? What do you mean?"
"Wiped out. Every member killed. During the same battle where your grandmother died. The official records say it was collateral damage. But pack histories suggest it was deliberate. That your grandmother lost control of her power and destroyed everything around her."
Just like the vision I saw in the amulet.
"So Cassandra's family has a blood feud with mine."
"Exactly. This isn't just social rivalry. It's ancestral hatred. Revenge passed down through generations."
"Does Cassandra know? About her family's history with Eclipse wolves?"
"I think she does. And I think someone is using that hatred. Manipulating her. Making her think targeting you is justified."
"Who?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out. But Luna, you need to be careful. If Cassandra believes she's avenging her ancestors by destroying you, she won't stop. Blood feuds don't end until someone's dead."
Great. Just great.
As if I didn't have enough problems.
Now I have an entire clique with generational grudges actively trying to curse me.
"What do I do?"
"We expose the manipulation. Show Cassandra she's being used. Break the cycle before it gets worse."
"And if she doesn't care? If she's committed to revenge regardless?"
"Then we prepare to defend ourselves. Whatever it takes."
I leave the library feeling more paranoid than ever.
Someone in the forest watching. Someone in the clique plotting. Someone in the otherworld calling.
Threats from every direction.
And I'm standing in the middle, trying not to get destroyed.
But at least I'm not alone.
I have friends. Allies. People willing to fight beside me.
That has to count for something.
It has to be enough.
Because if it's not, I don't know what will be.